Portable housing structure



Feb. 16, 1960 J. H. MoslER v 2,924,829

v PORTABLE HOUSING STRUCTURE Filed March 21, 1958 Y 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FER 16v, 1960 J. H. Mosn-:R 2,924,829

PORTABLE HOUSING STRUCTURE Filed March 21, 1958 4 sheets-sheet 2 Feb. 16, i960 J. H. MoslER PORTABLE HOUSING STRUCTURE Filed March 21, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 u., Hmm v @2J/104 QZ Feb. 16, 1960 J. H. MoslER 2,924,829

PORTABLE HOUSING STRUCTURE Filed March 21, 1958 r 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Ine/erbrytion and drawings in which:

:United States Patent y 2,924,829 PORTABLE HOUSING STRUCTURE John H.l/Iosier, Cedar Lake, Ind.

u Application March '21, 1958, Serialllalo.` 722,882

` 6 claims. (c1. #-112) This invention relates to a portable housing structure andmore particularly to a portable housings'tructur'e which may be used as a houseboat, as a house trailer ICC 2 Fig. 7 Vis aside elevational view partially in section of the structure of Fig. 1 showing the portable housing structure in an intermediate position;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view oan alternate embodiment of the present invention wherein the portable housing structure of Fig. l is used with an enlarged pool and a second hull of the boats makes their useV as house trailers im- A practical.

Thepresent invention is directed to a housing structure which may be used as both a houseboat and a house trailer, being so constructed as to be mounted on a carriagein a manner which makes the housing structure practical as a house trailer.

The popularity of private swimming pools has increased greatly in recent times. Many family homes have backyard 'swimming pools where area permits. However, as'swimming pools require considerable area, very often the home owner will decide against a swimming pool .because there is not room in his yard.

The'present invention provides a portable housing structure which may be mounted evier a swimming pool in cold weather so as to serve asi/a garage or other useful Structure. With this arrangement, the area normally occupied by the garage can be'utilized in the summer time 'asa Swimmingpool, and in the winter time the housing structure can befmounted over the pool and used as a garage. Since the swimming pool is lonly desirable in summer months, when a garage is relatively unimportant,V

this arrangement provides a verysatisfactory space saving advantage. p Thus, the present 'invention provides `a portable housing structure which may be used as a boat, which lis adaptable toa carriage to `form a house trailer and which is adaptable to mount over Aa swimming pooll to form a garage or similar structure.

Other and further advantages and features of the 'present invention will be apparent from the `following descrip- Fig. 1 isa perspective View of aportablehousing con- -structionillustrating one embodiment ofthe present invention wherein the portable housing structure is mounted onda carriage `parked adjacente. swimming pool;

'Fig.' 5' is` anexploded perspective view `of the means -fo'r latohirlgthecarriage totheipool' illustrated in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational viewof the portable khousing -structure of Fig. 1 broken away and illustrating `theuside of theecarriageicr Athe'sideof thea pool in dot-dash` lines;

housing structure;

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of the portable housing structure of Fig. l mounted on a pool, which is in section, and being utilized as a garage;

Fig. l0 is a vertical sectional View of the portable housing structure of Fig. 9 shown with the rear Wall partially raised and the intermediate partition pivoted to the horizontal position;

Fig. l1 is an enlarged exploded View partially broken away of the slot and pin means for guiding the movement of the rear wall of the structure of Fig. 10;

Fig. l2 is a top plan view of the hull portion of the portable housing structure of Fig. 1;

Fig. 13 lis a vertical sectional View taken along line 1.3--13 of Fig. l2 and illustrating an outboard motor in do-tted lines;

Fig. 14 is afve'r'tical sectional View taken along line 14-14 of Fig. l2;

Fig. l5 is a perspective view of the portable housing structure of Fig. l being used as a houseboat in a lake;

Fig. 16 is a vertical sectional View of the second housing structure of Fig. 8 shown in position over the pool; and

Fig. `17 is a front elevational view of the structure of Fig. 16 with 'the pool shown in section.

Referring now to the drawings, the construction of the present invention will be described in detail. The basic unit of the present'invention is the portable housing construction 2li which is shown in the drawings in its various capacities as a housev trailer, houseboat, bath house and garage. This housing structure consists of a hull 21 of rectangular outline having inwardly sloping front 22 and rear 2,3 faces and a dat bottom 24. A platform 25 is secured across the top of the hull and extends outwardly on all four sides thereof. This platform 25 serves as the floor of the housing upon which the superstructure is constructed. The general construction of the superstructure may be of any desired design, and in the construction illustrated consists of side walls 26 extending upwardlyfrom a position flush with the outer edges 27 of the sides of the platform 25 so as to provide a -maximum interior area between walls 26. The front wall 28 of the housing extends upwardly from a position flush with the front edge 29 of the platform 25 and has a generally curved upper portion Si) which curves rearwardly and blends into the roof 3l of the housing to give a smooth streamlined eiiect'to the front 01"' the housing. The roof 31 extends the full length of the housing and is supported by the side walls 26 and by vertical posts 32 extending from the rear corners of the platform 25. The side walls 26 extend rearwardly from the front wall 28 to points spaced from the rear of the platform 2S so as to provide an open decl: area at the rear of the housing.

A retractable rear wall. 33 extends between the rear ends of the side walls 26. This rear wall 33 is movably mounted so that it may be removed to provide an openingbetween. the ends of the side walls when it is desired to provide an open interior in the housing structure. In the embodiment illustrated, the end wall construction 33 is similar to a conventional garage door which slides up into a position along the ceiling of the garage. The particular construction illustrated consists of L-shaped channels 34 on the inside of each side wall 26 having vertical portions 315 extending vertically from theplatform 25 to the roof v31 and horizontal portions 36 extending horizontally forward'fromthe top of the vertical portion 35 a distance substantially equal'to the height of the rear wall 33. The channels 34 are generally rounded at the juncture 37 of the horizontal and vertical portions to facilitate manipulation of the rear wall. The rear wall 33 is provided with lateral pins 38 extending outwardly from each corner. These pins 38 extend into the channels 33 so as to guide the movement of the door upwardly and horizontally into a position along the roof 3l of the housing. The pins 38'have enlarged outer ends which are locked in the channels by lips 45 of the channel 33 extending partially across the channel openings. Thus, the rear wall can easily be manipulated from a lowered position to an upper position as desired.

In order to permit utilization of the housing structure 2G as a garage, the partitions which may be desirable when utilizing the structure as a house must be removable. in the drawings wherein the intermediate partition 41 is hingedly secured to the roof 31 so that it may be swung from its normal vertical position into a horizontal position along the roof of the structure.

As seen in the drawings, the roof 31 of the housing structure 20 may be utilized as a. sundeck in which case it is desirable to provide a railing 42 around the edge of the roof to prevent passengers from falling therefrom, especially when the structure is used as a houseboat. Also the rear end of the roof may be utilized as a diving platform, having a diving board 43 extending rearwardly therefrom. This diving board can be used when the structure is ailoat and also can be used when the structure is parked adjacent the swimming pool 44 as seen in Fig. l. Access to the roof 31 may be had through an opening 45 at the rear which is connected by a ladder 46 to the platform 25.

In order to insure floatability of the housing structure, the hull portion 21 is provided with front and rear airtight compartments 47 and 48 which may be sealed with air or other gas to impart the desired buoyancy to the complete structure. The hull is strengthened by using cross braces 49 secured therein and extending across the interior of the hull. In the embodiment illustrated there are three sets of cross braces 49 interposed between the airtight compartments 47 and 4S. The airtight compartments occupy approximately the front and rear quarters of the hull. The periphery of the platform also reinforces the hull strength. The center portion 50 of the platform is formed separate from the periphery so One manner of accomplishing this is illustrated that it may be removed to gain access to the interior of the hull 21.

The rear of the hull is provided with `a centrally located motor mounting compartment 51 to receive an outboard motor 52 of any conventional design. This compartment 51 is recessed into the rear airtight compartment as at 53 and has a rear wall 54 extending upwardly from the bottom 24 of the hull 21 at a point spaced forwardly of the rear 23 of -the hull. This rear wall 54 serves as a mounting upon which the motor 52 is yattached as by locking brackets or other conventional construction. The motor extends into the compartment 53 and the shaft of the motor extends through the opening 55 in the hull which is provided rearwardly of the rear wall 54 of the compartment. The shaft 56 extends downwardly below the bottom 24 of the hull so that the propeller 57 of the motor will be located in the water for efficient propulsion of the boat. The size of the compartment 51 is such that the motor can be pivoted thereinto when out of use so that the propeller will be pivoted upwardly above the bottom of the hull. A covering plate 58 is secured over the top of the compartment 51 and hull opening 55 so that when the motor is not mounted therein, the plate 58 will form a flush continuance of the platform 25 for use as a floor or deck.

The carriage 60 upon which the housing structure 20 v2,924,8239 f f vide suicient strength for supporting and transporting the housing structure 20 when mounted thereon. In the embodiment illustrated, the carriage 60 yconsists of pairs of wheels 61 mounted on each side of the carriage and a front smaller wheel (not shown) which is retractable during movement of the carriage and is lowerable to support the front end when the carriage is parked. The front end 62 of the carriage 60 is provided with a hitch 63 of any conventional ,construction which is attachable to a complementary hitch on the rear of a motor vehicle. Also mounted at vthe front 62 of the carriage is a winch 64 which may be mechanically operated or manually operated-by the crank 65 as illustrated. The winch` 64 has a horizontal axis upon which a rope 66 or chain is wound. The outer end'of the rope or chain is connected to an eye 67 secured to the front of the housing structure so that the housing structure 20 may be pulled onto the carriage 6i) and held in place on the carriage by the tension inthe rope or chain.

The framework of the carriage consists of bottom cross braces 68 extending between longitudinal bottom stringers 69. The front ends of the bottom stringers 69 are supported `by a front cross piece 70 and diagonal front braces 71. Top longitudinal stringers 72 are spaced above the bottom stringers 69 by vertical braces 73. Each top Stringer 72 has a front wheel well 74, a rear wheel well 75, and an intermediate wheelwell 76. Each of these wheel wells extends partially across the Stringer 72 from the inside edge of the Stringer so that each wheel well has an outer side 77 and a bottom 78. The bottoms 78V are arcuate with sharply curved forward portions and sloping rear portions which blend into the tops of the stringers 72 so as to smoothly receive and stop the wheels of the housing structure.

The housing structure 20 is provided with six wheels, each side of the housing structure having a front Wheel 79, an intermediate wheel 80 and a rear wheel 81. The wheels are mounted in the underside of the edges 27 of the platform 25 which extend beyond the hull 21. These wheels are relatively small and unnoticeable so as not to detract from the pleasing design of the structure and yet large enough to serve the purpose of supporting and rolling the structure onto and ott thecarriage 60. These .wheels 79, 80 and 81 are aligned with the wheel wells 74, 75 and 76 formed in the carriage and are similarly spaced so that when the housing structure 20 is fully mounted on the carriage 60'the wheels will be seated in the Wells and the side edges 27 of the platform 24 of the `housing will be in contact with and be supported by the top stringers 72 of the carriage. The outer sides 77 of the wheel wells prevent lateral movement of the housing Astructure with respect to the carriage and the hull 21 extending into the area between the sides of the carriage also limits lateral movement of the housing structure. In the embodiment illustrated, the bottom 24 of the hull 21 does not rest on the bottom of the carriage 60 when fully mounted thereon, the entire weight of the structure being supported bythe top stringers 72.

The primary purpose of the wheels 79, 80 and 81 is to provide rolling support of the housing structure 20 so that the housing structure may be rolled onto and off the carriagel). Thus as the housing structure4 is pulled onto the carriage, the wheels contact the topstringers 72 and support the housing until the housing has been rolled fully onto the carriage in which position the wheels 79, 80 and 81 will be in the Wheel wells 74, 75 and 76 and the housing 20 will be supported by the platform 25 resting on the top stringers 72. As stated above, the housing 20 is held on the carriage 60 by the winch 64 an can be further secured thereon by using a tie rod (not shown) or other means to pull the rear ends of the stringers 72 toward each other against the hull 21 of the housing to lock it in place.

When the present housing structure 20 is utilized in conjunction Vwith a Swimmingpool 44 as illustrated lin eggagsas sidestfr'om theinsideiofthe side-walls and have similarly curved-bottoms 86linclinedrto blend into the tops 87 ofJ th'efipoolfsides#82"for1the.` smooth receipt of the wheels of-tthje housing,structure'l20'.L` One; end 88 .of the pool is providedfvwithta-removableend-plate 89 extending across theyendzoffthepool and having` adepth substantially the same asfthefldepthtofthe hull -21-of the housing structure .'f' `Thsiplate'lis normallyI sealed inplace asl seenin 'gf .4f so asffto complete the-end f of 'the swimming pool, buttis' removable-to permitthehousing structure to roll into positionfoven the pooli as seen in Fig. 7. The housingstructuref" 20may bel drawn `from. the carriage 60 onto the pnoolas bya-ropetortchainiwound on a winch 90 `attachcd "to the otherend -191 of the pool 44Lin a manner similarto thetoperationtof mountingthe housing structure lonlthe carriage? 60.I Thus,: the housing structure rolls .omthe wheels-79gs80f1and-` 81. until fully on the swimming pool 44 at which:` time thewheels roll into the wheel-iwells83," 84iandz85rand-the structure is supported byfftheiedges 2'7Gofvtheplatform 25^resting on the tops 815 ofthe walls g82lvof theswimming pool 44. In this positionfthe structure: may be lused as a'garage or for any,

otherprpose-andetheswimmingpool is covered to protect="it frmfathe `weather as .well asrfor safety reasons vto. prevent children andx otherslfrom falling into the pool.

When.; the: swimming. pool `is in. use, it may bedesirable tohave'rsmoothnpool edges Ain which case the wheel wells-v 83584; and-'85 may bet enclosed by inserting fillets (not, shownytherein` andwhenthe housing isrmounted on the` ponlether-filletsmayl be; inserted-inV the carriage wheel wel lis1.74;75;.` and"g764 so that the. carriage will resemble. an-.all-purposentrailert As :describedyabove-tWoWinches are provided: one` ablesbracketsror. other meansr permitting-removal of the. 4winchrg.

Instheiembodimentjillustrated` a, carriage driveway 92' isrprpvided extending fromvtherearend 88 of the pool 44a: This ydrivewaya92` isrecessed `so that its surface ist spacedvla distancenbelowttheatop of the pool-equal to the height of the top stringers 72 of the carriage 60 from the ground so that when the carriage is adjacent the pool, the top stringere-72 Willfbefon-thetsamey level as the tops 87 of the poo1walls,to permiteasy movement of the hppsingrrstructure 20 from one to the other. In order to'align; the'jcarriage-60` with the-pool 44, they present inyention providesa-'ange93- and-slot `94 attachment of th` arriag'itostheswimmingpook The endsot the top triiigeris'72`of-the carriageare-provided with rearwardly"extendinghorizontal `lianges A93`located below the top ofit'hestringers; and-theends 9S=fof the swimming pool sides 821 extend -rearwardly and are providedv with slots 94 aligned to-'receivetthefanges, 93 so that when thedcarriage is backed into position, the llanges will engage irithie slots- The angesr'93'* arei provided withcentral holes 96 and the portions of the swimming pool 44 adjacent the slots 94 are similarly provided with holes 97 for the receipt of a locking pin 98 which drops through the holes 96 and 97 to lock the carriage 60 to the swimming pool 44. This fixes the position of the carriage with respect to the pool and prevents the carriage from moving.

The carriage driveway 92 is seen in Fig. 4 to have a cutout portion 99 adjacent the pool with steps 100 leading down thereinto. The pool 44 is provided with a watertight door 101 adjacent the cutout portion 99 so that access may be had to the pool, which may be desirable when the housing structure is mounted on the pool,

If desired, a single 6 in which case the poolcan be -usedfas'a storage area or stormY shelter.` i

In the'event'arlarger size 4swimming pool 102-is desired,Vv the-present embodiment may bevariedfas seen in Figs.l

8,1116 and` l7-without aecting the construction of the portablehousing structure 20-itself. Since the housing structure, whenl used as 'a-house trailer, must be limitedl tirepoolarea can-be used-as a swimming pool with the sliding structure 103 located adjacent one side 104 ofthepooltand used as a 4bathhouse-or for any other desired purpose The sliding-structure 103 has front and rear;`

flanges `105`which-overlay the corresponding ends 106 of thepool so that lthe sliding structure 103 will be supportedby theends-106 of the pool-When it has been slid The-side107 of the sliding structure overthe-pool. 103 adjacent the pool-has an outwardly extending ledge 108fjwith its topsurfacel109.A liuSh with the top of the poolends 106-so that when the slidingstructure is slid into position-over-'thel pool, the ledge 108 will be in the.

samepositionas--thesides of the pool in the small pool embodiment, for receipt of the Wheels and platform edges ofthefportable-housing,. this isshown in dot-dash linesv in-Fig. 8. This rledge 108 is provided with wheel wells 110'similar to and aligned with the wheel wells 111 on the other side ofthe pool.

Thefunder sideofthe' sliding structure 103 is provided-V with a pair of legs 112 which are pivotally attached under the side107'ofthe structure adjacentthe pool 102.

Th'ese 1egs112 are ofa' length equal to the depth of the.

poolso that when they-are pivoted into their vertical positions, they will serve as support legs to supportnet only the sideof the sliding structure 102 but also the side ofW the vportable structure 20 `which rests on the ledgej 108;.of, the sliding structure. These legs are pivotallyr secured to the .underside ofthe sliding structure so that theymay be swung to horizontal positions under the slidingtstructure where. they are hidden and out of the way:

when the poolis used for swimming purposes. The hon'- zontal leg-positions areshown in dot-dash lines in Fig. 17.

Thesliding structure 103 must beof a width at least.

equalto thewidth of the pool not covered by the portable.;structuref20 so thatiwhen both structures are mountedV on,jthe,pool,the p ool `will be completely enclosed for` safety and protective@reasons.` The far side of the slidingg structure, 14l3lis= provided with a depending bar 114 which: engagesthefouter, side,115 ofthe pool edge 104i to` stop the sliding of` the structureltl and properly position? thelstructurerso thatthe ledge 10S is in line with the Wheels 79; 80 ;and 81: of the portable structure 20.

Thus;` with' th'etvariation abovev described the portable housingfstructure 20 can be utilized -with a pool 102 ofl a width greater than the width of the portable housing` structures Al-sliding structure 103 is also provided which isadaptableifor-use-'bothas-a bathhouse or other structurev adjacent `the pool and as a covering stucture over` the pool when the pool is not in use. This provides additional ilexibility and also permits the enlargement of the pool to a desired width limited only by the sum of the widths of the portable and sliding structures.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and is herein described in detail several embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated. The scope of the invention will -be pointed out in the appended claims.

This second housing Structure 103 I claim as my invention:

1. A housing structure comprising: a housing having sides and rotatable members mounted in said sides and depending therefrom adjacent the housing; a swimming pool having parallel sides; a supporting framework having parallel sides alignable with the sides of the swimming pool, the pool sides and framework sides being alignable with the housing sides and having top surfaces upon which said rotatable members may be supported to permit rolling of the housing along the framework, along the pool and from one to the other, said pool sides and framework sides having wells extending downwardly from Ithe top surfaces into which said rotatable members may roll to seat t-he housing on the framework or swimming pool.

2. A housing structure comprising: a housing having a hull portion and a platform secured across the top of the hull portion, said platform having parallel sides extending beyond the hull portion; wheels secured in and depending from said platform sides; a swimming pool having parallel sides spaced to receive the housing wheels and sides with the hull portion depending between the swimming pool sides; a supporting carriage having parallel sides spaced to receive the housing wheels and sides and alignable with the swimming pool sides, said pool sides and carriage sides 'having top surfaces upon which said wheels may be supported to permit rolling of the housing along the carriage, along the pool and from one to the other, said pool sides and carriage sides having wheel wells extending downwardly from the top surfaces a depth at least equal to the distance the wheels depend from the platform sides, said wells accommodating said wheels so that when the wheels are in the wells the carriage sides or pool sides engage the platform sides to seat the housing on either of the carriage and pool with the housing hull between the carriage and pool sides respectively.

parallel sides and rotatable members mounted in and depending from said sides; a swimming pool having a side and a supporting member extending across the pool parallel to the pool side and spaced therefrom for receipt of the housing sides on the pool side and supporting member, said pool side and supporting member having top surfaces and wells extending downwardly from thc top surfaces into which said rotatable members rollto seat the housing on the pool and supporting members.

4. A portable housing structure mountable on a swimming pool, comprising: a rst housing having parallel sides and rotatable members mounted in and depending,

from said sides; a swimming pool having a side; a second housing mountable over a portion of the pool and having an outwardly extending ledge parallel to the pool side and spaced therefrom for receipt of the rst housing sides on the pool side and ledge, said pool side and ledge having top surfaces and wells extending downwardly from the top surfaces into which said rotatable members roll to seat the first housing on the pool and ledge.

5. A portable housing structure mountable on a carriage and movable from the carriage onto a swimming pool, comprising: a housing having a hull portion and 3. A housing structure comprising: a housing having a platform secured across the top of the hull portion, said platform having parallel sides extending beyond the hull portion; wheels secured in and depending from said platform sides; a swimming ,pool having a side;'a supportingmember removably mounted across the pool parallel to the pool side and spaced therefrom for receipt of the platform sides on the pool side and supporting member; a supporting carriage having parallel sides spaced to receive the housing wheels and sides and alignable with the swimming pool side and supporting member, said pool side, supporting member and carriage sides having top surfaces and wheel wells extending downwardly from the top surfaces a depth at least equal-to the distance the wheelsdepend from the platform sides, the top surfaces supporting the wheels for rolling of the housing along the carriage, overthe pool and from one to the other, the wells accommodating .the wheels so that when the wheels are in the wells. the top surfaces engage the platform sides to seat the housing on either the carriage or pool and supporting member with the housing hull between the carriage sides .or between the pool side and supporting member. f

6. A portable housing structure mountable on a carriage and movable from the carriage onto av swimming pool, comprising: a first housing having a hull portion and a platform secured across the top of the hull portion, said platform having parallel sides extending beyond the hull portion; wheels secured in and depending from.

said platform sides; a swimming pool having a side; a second housing mountable over a portion of the pool and having an outwardly extending ledge parallel to the pool side and spaced therefrom for receipt of the first housing wheelsk and sides on the pool side and ledge; a supporting carriage having parallel sides spaced to receive the rst housing wheels and sides and alignable with `the swimming pool side and ledge, said pool side, ledge and carriage sides having top surfaces and wheel wells extending downwardly from the top surfaces a depth at least equal to the distance the wheels depend from the platform sides, the top surfaces supporting the wheels for rolling of the first housing along the carriage,

over the pool and from one to the other, the wellsv accommodating the wheels so that when the wheels are in the wells the top surfaces engage the platform sides to seat the first housing on either the carriage or poolV and ledge with the rstr housing hull between the car riage sides or between the pool side and second housing ledge.

References Cited in the file of this `patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

